Methods for estimating watermark signal strength, an embedding process using the same, and related arrangements

Abstract

The disclosure relates to image processing and embedding machine-readable codes into image data. One combination estimates embedded signal strength from embedded image data transformed according to anticipated color space, printer data and/or substrate data. Other combinations are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 memory for storing image data; 
 means for embedding a machine-readable signal into stored image data, the machine-readable signal comprising a synchronization signal and a plural-bit identifier, thereby generating embedded image data; 
 memory for storing substrate data, the substrate data associated with a substrate upon which the embedded image data is to be printed upon; 
 memory for storing printer data, the printer data associated with a printer that is anticipated to print the embedded image data upon the substrate; 
 means for processing the embedded image data with reference to the substrate data and the printer data, thereby generating processed, embedded image data; 
 means for estimating a signal strength of the machine-readable signal embedded within the processed, embedded image data, in which said means for estimating utilizes the synchronization signal, and in which said means for estimating yields an estimated signal strength; and 
 means for controlling visual display of the estimated signal strength. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus  claim 1  in which the estimated signal strength is controlled to be visually displayed as a multi-color heat map spatially relative to the embedded image data. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2  in which the estimated signal strength is controlled to be visually displayed spatially relative to the embedded image data with a first color representing first signal strength and a second color representing second signal strength, in which the second signal strength comprises a signal strength that is relatively higher than the first signal strength. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , in which the estimated signal strength is controlled to be visually displayed spatially relative to the image data, with a third color representing a third signal strength comprising a signal strength between the first signal strength and the second signal strength. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the printer data comprises color profile information of the printer that is anticipated to print the embedded image data. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the substrate data comprises data associated with substrate surface finish. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the substrate data comprises data associated with a type of substrate, the type of substrate indicating paper, cardboard, metal, plastic, foil, or metal. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said means for processing processes the embedded image data with reference to the substrate data, the printer data and with reference to reader data associated with a reader that is anticipated to read the machine-readable signal from printed, embedded image data. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said means for embedding utilizes digital watermarking to embed a machine-readable signal into the stored image data. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising memory for storing color data associated with the stored image data, in which said means for processing utilizes the color data to transform the embedded image data from an initial color mode to a transformed color mode. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10  in which the transformed color mode is associated with a color space for a signal decoder. 
     
     
       12. An image processing method comprising:
 embedding a machine-readable signal into image data, the machine-readable signal comprising a synchronization signal and a plural-bit identifier, thereby generating embedded image data; 
 accessing substrate data, the substrate data associated with a substrate upon which the embedded image data is to be printed upon; 
 accessing printer data, the printer data associated with a printer that is anticipated to print the embedded image data upon the substrate; 
 accessing color data, the color data associated with the image data, 
 processing the embedded image data with reference to the substrate data, the printer data and the color data, thereby generating processed, embedded image data; 
 determining a signal strength of the machine-readable signal embedded within the processed, embedded image data, in which said determining utilizes the synchronization signal, and in which said determining yields a determined signal strength. 
 
     
     
       13. The method  claim 12  further comprising controlling visual display of the determined signal strength spatially relative to the image data. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  in which said controlling visual display of the determined signal strength utilizes a first color representing first signal strength and a second color representing second signal strength, in which the second signal strength comprises a signal strength that is relatively higher than the first signal strength. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  in which the said controlling visual display utilizes a third color representing a third signal strength comprising a signal strength between the first signal strength and the second signal strength. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12  in which the printer data comprises color profile information of the printer that is anticipated to print the embedded image data. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12  in which the substrate data comprises data associated with substrate surface finish. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12  in which the substrate data comprises data associated with a type of substrate comprising a type of paper, cardboard, metal, plastic, foil, or metal. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 12  in which said processing further processes the embedded image data with reference to reader data associated with a reader that is anticipated to read the machine-readable signal from printed, embedded image data. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 12  in which said embedding utilizes digital watermarking to embed a machine-readable signal into the image data. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 12  in which said processing utilizes the color data to transform the embedded image data from an initial color mode to a transformed color mode. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21  in which the transformed color mode is associated with a color space of a reader that is anticipated to read the machine-readable signal from printed, embedded image data. 
     
     
       23. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions stored therein that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the following acts:
 embedding a machine-readable signal into image data, the machine-readable signal comprising a synchronization signal and a plural-bit identifier, thereby generating embedded image data; 
 obtaining substrate data, the substrate data associated with a substrate upon which the embedded image data is to be printed upon; 
 obtaining printer data, the printer data associated with a printer that is anticipated to print the embedded image data upon the substrate; 
 obtaining color data, the color data associated with the image data, 
 processing the embedded image data with reference to the substrate data, the printer data and the color data, thereby generating processed, embedded image data; 
 determining a signal strength of the machine-readable signal embedded within the processed, embedded image data, in which said determining utilizes the synchronization signal, and in which said determining yields a determined signal strength. 
 
     
     
       24. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 23  further comprising instructions for controlling visual display of the determined signal strength spatially relative to the image data. 
     
     
       25. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 24  in which said controlling visual display of the determined estimated signal strength utilizes a first color representing first signal strength and a second color representing second signal strength, in which the second signal strength comprises a signal strength that is relatively higher than the first signal strength. 
     
     
       26. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 23  in which said processing utilizes the color data to transform the embedded image data from an initial color mode to a transformed color mode. 
     
     
       27. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 26  in which the transformed color mode is associated with a color space of a reader that is anticipated to read the machine-readable signal from printed, embedded image data.